You can read about it in this Crains Cleveland article written by Michelle Park .

A little bit more detail about it from the PR Newswire article about the KPMG survey. (It’s actually the KPMG press release).  100 executives from NE Ohio were surveyed.  I like these stats: 

Forty-one percent intend to add jobs in the next 12 months, with only 7 percent indicating a decrease.  Furthermore, 43 percent will boost capital improvements and tech investments, with 7 percent expecting to lower investments.

One more quote that seems to indicate satisfaction with their businesses being located in NE Ohio:

“…an overwhelming majority, 79 percent, have no plans to move and, of those considering a move, a great majority, 88 percent, intend to look at other locations in Northeast Ohio….”

It makes sense that focusing on the here and now, and what each company can do to improve their business, add jobs, expand, will block out the  gray cloud of negativity. Which doesn’t help in the long run!  Let’s see what transpires in the next 12 months, and maybe we will see evidence of this job growth and success.

3C

The next company struck me because it’s a CPA firm, voted one of the top mid-sized companies in 2010 (in NE Ohio).  Cohen & Company   has a cool niche.  From their website: 

 Cohen & Company specializes in a wide variety of accounting, tax, and planning issues. Working closely with the entrepreneur, we provide advice on operating and managing the business. Learn how building a relationship with us can help you meet your (or your client’s) goals.     

Cohen & Company has five locations in NE Ohio and now also three affiliated locations in Florida.  They have been around since 1977.   They have jobs available, according to their website, but what I really liked was their Internship program. Are you in college, thinkng being a CPA might be a good choice?  Their internship program includes short term assignments, attending company meetings, and other activities you would experience as a licensed CPA.  They also require community service work….  check out Cohen & Co’s web page on internships.

The last company featured today also advertises itself  (I paraphrase only a little) as  a toy company, but a digital toy company.  Find A Way World  has been around for about six years only, but their patented audio player called Playaway® is out (it’s pre-loaded, which I gather is very exciting to consumers) and the company is very well recieved and recognized all over the U.S.  FindAWay World  was voted one of the fastest growing companies in the Country by Inc, magazine.

I love that it was started by five native Clevelanders. Picturing them sitting around tossing a nerf basketball and coming up with ideas.  Anyone use Playaway® ?   Would be cool to support a local company when buying a video/audio player.   Their website says Playaway® can hold up to 60 hours of audio.  That sounds darn competitive, no?  Seriously, it sounds  like this 2 oz audio books specialty player would be great to own. And they have Playaways available all over the World already!

Congrats to these companies for being what our area has been historically…innovative and insanely creative!   Peace Out  3C

Best House Decoration Idea I’ve Heard or Read in 2011  This was something I read last Spring.  The idea stuck with me so I’m revisiting it here for you.  Wish I could remember where I read it!  It starts with us having old furniture, things we’ve collected that could be something else, and most importantly, the wish to update our home’s look without spending a fortune.

In spirit of a healthy environment, spending wisely and re-purposing: Host a party with a few friends. Each one brings a piece of furniture or collectible  from their home to strip, stain, paint, transform  into something else.  Have an old table top radio? I bet one of your friends can help you add a lamp kit to it for a cool change.  And you might be better at taking broken mosaic tile and re-doing another person’s coffee table top.  You get the drift! Everyone can make a day of it.  Seems like it would turn a chore into a fun day. 

Now to the sites with home decor ideas they found trending in 2011. 

I love the Lamps Plus gallery.  You have to check out the bike turned into a bathroom sink.  No,  I wouldn’t have thought I’d like it either, but I like it a lot!  I love the idea of accenting with the retro geometric patterns.  However, not sure I’m feeling the busily patterned wallpaper.  What do you think? 

Organic materials are definitely still trending strong and probably upward.  I don’t see this changing anytime soon.  Bamboo roman shades may not surprise you (they are nice, however). How about bamboo curtain and drapery hardware?   Very cool.  My latest thing (not that I’m a professional – just sharing!) is to put up rods that don’t match.  I also like the trend (I saw this several times in my NE Ohio home showings for 2011) of using cool things like skateboard tops for shelving.  HGTV has a photo gallery of window decor and hardware they feel represents the trend to new and enviro friendly materials.  

My last suggestion is a site called Houzz.  They see trending: grays in many shades, fiery wall colors as well (I love red/orange). There gallery of photos also features what they say is a return to using silhouettes as decoration.  I haven’t seen it, but like the photo they use as an example.

I saw (in real life home touring and in articles) a trend towards use of metallic, both in textured art as well as room colors and accent peices. 

Hope you enjoy this end of the year tour of 2011 home decor trends, and I wish for all of you a Happy New Year.  3C

In order to participate, there are Federal standards, and one standard (a major one) is that you have to be able to know exactly where the food comes from, tracing all the way back to the farmer.

I read about this program a few months ago.  This is what the Where Food Comes From®label looks like.

Here is a quote from the article, as well as a link directly to Heinen’s info on the program:

Heinen’s Fine Foods, a regional retailer with 17 locations in northeast Ohio, are pleased to announce the launch of the WhereFoodComesFrom® labeling program in the grocery chain’s meat department. The program is designed to give customers more information about the source and origin of Heinen’s Own Beef and Pork. IMI Global has created a new website detailing the program at www.wherefoodcomesfrom.com/heinens.

We know we need infrastructure work, but one of the repeated points made here is location, proximity to other markets (one days hauling abilities, for example).  All the more reason why we need to keep our infrastructure sound and innovative. 

The answers are very diverse as well, and include a nice portion of NE Ohio companies while also giving us a perspective on other areas.  Truly a great series of interviews with pretty revealing answers.  To me, it’s a case of hearing why our State works, not the problems we get every day!  Anyway, hope you enjoy it.   Peace Out – 3C

Scene was fairly cheerful and well, cheerleading-like (is that a word?) Not what I normally expect from a Scene feature story, but news like this could make even cynical journalists giddy. 

Scene says Cleveland has a lot to offer and we don’t bite.  I say, we don’t bite unless provoked.  Peace Out – 3C

Now you might be reading this and saying to yourself, self, I live in NE Ohio where it’s cloudy 9 months out of a year (ok, I may exaggerate a bit!).  I can testify to the fact that we have homes in NE Ohio (right here in Cleveland, in fact) that run mostly on solar power and average electric and heat bills of $40/month.  12 months a year.  Yes you are reading that correctly.

The problem has been the initial outlay of cash.  There is still a 30% Federal Tax credit, and according to this article, written by Amy Hoak at MarketWatch, solar power is now affordable and worth investigating.  Sales volume seems to be doubling per year; the tax credits are good until 2016.  30% drop in price from last year to install (according to Hoak) and prices expected to keep falling.  

NE Ohio utility companies give you credits on usage; and there are other incentives that may apply, through grants, etc.  A good site to check regarding available rebates on solar and other types of ‘green’ installations is Energy Savvy .com . Check it out! The skies are more blue than normal and the sun is warm.  But we know what is coming…..

 Peace Out – 3C

Guess what!  One of my co-workes, an agent named Michael Rastatter, is working with a builder who is developing container homes here in NE Ohio.  On ISBU Homes website, they explain why they are a hot commodity.

To learn more about them, I of course went to the Internet.  This company, American Container Homes, said they knew they had to get busy and in contact with the Japanese after their earthquake and tsunami, because he said container homes would be perfect for  them.  At American Homes,  they explain that not only are the four walls already built, but in many cases, kitchen cabinets are in, as well as other things.  So you can check that out.

If it intrigues you (as it does me), give me a call or email.  We can sit down over a cup of coffee with Michael and he can explain all the details.  Peace Out – 3C